Sorry I haven't posted anything recently, I have been in bed for over 72hrs now, two Doctor's visits, and 6 medications later..I am feeling half way normal. So please bear with me as I catch up on bucket and flower orders, lesson plans, grading, house work.. then get back on track with the blog. I have saved up some amazing freebies, so stay tuned! I will also talk about my "illness" to give some people insight as well as possibly help others. Thanks for understanding!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

So I am pretty excited to share my most recent family photos with you guys. But I must add a disclaimer. Please don't ask me who took the photos. Yes, they are amazing...I mean why wouldn't they be when you have an awesome looking family like I do (lol). The shoot went well (I wouldn't say great, and for once it wasn't my daughter's two year old attitude that ruined it). However the photographer promised the photos within the month of the shoot...needless to say 5mths later I received my images via email, not even on the CD as promised. So enjoy the pictures and just admire the beautiful family, not the photographer....

I have been teaching for 10 years. I have taught 3rd grade in Georgia for most of them, 4th and 5th in California, and PreK in Florida.

You might not know...

That I can be pretty funny and scarcastic when I want to be! Even though I am a structured, organized teacher and person I love to have a good time.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?

Not having "that class" this year. I must admit I paid my dues last year and was promised a little relief this year, so here's hoping!

What do you need to improve?

This year a lot of our grading procedures and policies have changed. We, as a grade level, are pushing through and struggling together trying to "make it work for us"...it's been rough already.

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

Where do I begin??? Binders, labels, FONTS (I LOVE fonts), my mimio, anything to do with technology for that matter, my new AMAZING pencil sharpener, brand new sharpies, chisel tip Expo markers...I could go on and on!

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So that's it for me...it's now your turn to go link up at Blog Hoppin'for Meet the Teacher Monday. Have fun!

Friday, August 19, 2011

So as the second week of school comes to an end, with curriculum night behind me, and lesson plans for next week done...I begin to feel a slight bit of relief and then suddenly it's gone. I just washed a load of laundry for the third time, my husband informed me (after I started it) that he ran it for the second time when he came home from work, ugh! I have buckets to make (not complaining there, it's a lot like calming therapy for me) but also know my house could use a HUGE scrubbing! But I decided to take a few minutes and give you guys this tutorial and a freebie for Friday! Enjoy.

What you need:

Background color of choice, sponge roller, canvas size of choice, Cricut and Vinyl letters of choice (or some way to put letters on canvas)

First coat entire canvas in the base color of your choice.

Once I had it coated I decided I wanted to add "depth" so I purchased these supplies:

I found some paper stencils on sale at WalMart, bought a shade darker paint, and some sponge stencil "brushes"

I did go over the stencil design with the lighter paint one more time, to mute them. When the paint was dry I simply cut the letters/sayings using my Cricut and stuck them on!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Thought I would share my newest custom designed bucket, and believe it or not it is not for a teacher...for a little guys 1st birthday! Can't wait to see it in use.

Also as some of you teachers out there are still setting up classrooms, thinking of setting up your classroom, or already ready to change your seating arrangement around...here are a few pictures I took of seating arrangements around my school. I noticed that as I looked at different blogs and pictures I kept asking myself "where do the kids sit?". Hope it gives you a few ideas.

I convinced her to change her boards...they came out cute! Also love this seating arrangement

Another view of her room, the two other groups...this leaves a nice open space in the middle

This is one of the smaller rooms, due to the movable wall, she also wanted more space in the front.

This room also has extra desks behind the shelf with red boxes for possible push in students

Younger classroom set up, this was during pre-planning so don't mind the supplies

Special Ed. classroom. I like how she made the four desks like a kidney table (those are in high demand in our school)

Friday, August 12, 2011

So I think a good way to celebrate the end to my first week of school is to have a Freebie Friday. I have grand plans to post a few tutorials this weekend ..that will be in between making a mimio lesson for next week, grading a few papers, spending time with my family, filling a few bucket orders, cleaning my house, doing laundry, and running errands. The weekend isn't long enough!

Here they are!

This is how I store my clipboards in my room. I love that they are easy for the students to access, yet are out of the way. Hint: buy the cheaper hooks (it doesn't seem to matter which ones I use, I end up having to hot glue them anyway)

I could not find black with white polka dot calendar pieces (which is what I use to number ANYTHING in my room) so I made them...your lucky day!

Some of you read my behavior management blog, a little long...but it is working! Here is the label I used for the front of their folders, I included one with a piece of clipart so you wouldn't have to use stickers if you didn't want to.